Alynia pushed open the door of the small inn, Veil trailing close behind her. The inside buzzed with chatter, punctuated by the scrape of cutlery against plates and the clink of mugs being knocked together. A young man quickly approached them.

  “Welcome. Looking for a room, a meal, or perhaps both?” he asked in a smooth, assured voice.

  “I already have my room, but we’ll be taking another. And a table for two as well,” Alynia replied.

  “Very well. Head over to the counter and speak with the mistress about the room. Once you’re done, I’ll come by your table to take your order,” he said, gesturing toward an empty spot.

  He left them to attend to other guests, while Alynia made her way to the counter ahead. Veil followed reluctantly, his stomach grumbling at the delay.

  “Hello, Elinalise. I’d like another room, please,” Alynia said, tapping a small bell.

  The woman, absorbed in her ledger, raised her head and smiled when she saw them.

  “Alynia! It’s been a while. I was already thinking of selling off your belongings, you know,” Elinalise teased with a laugh. “I suppose the extra room’s for the young man? You’re making progress, I see. Hard to believe anyone could get close to you.”

  “If you’re done spouting nonsense, could I have the key? I’ll pay for the full week. After that, he’ll give you what’s needed,” Alynia said dryly, rolling her eyes.

  “Still as guarded as ever, hm? Room 415, west wing,” Elinalise said, handing her the key. Then, in a lower voice, she added, “You can try to hide it, but it’s obvious you care about him.”

  Alynia took the key without comment and motioned for Veil to follow. They climbed the stairs to the second floor, turned left, and stopped in front of a small door.

  “Here’s your room. Drop your things and come back down. But don’t leave anything valuable inside—this place isn’t exactly safe. And don’t forget to lock the door, thieves won’t hesitate if they get the chance,” Alynia instructed as she headed back toward the stairs.

  Veil lingered a moment, puzzled by the pace of it all, before realizing Alynia had slipped the key into his hand.

  He opened the door to find a small rustic chamber. A bed with a thick mattress and heavy blankets took up most of the space, while a little desk with a flowerpot and an open window stood to one side. Veil walked to the window, listening to the lively sounds of the street drifting up.

  “Finally… a night on something softer than dirt,” he muttered, running a hand over the mattress.

  He left his jacket on the chair’s backrest and stepped out, heading downstairs to join Alynia again. Scanning the room, he spotted her tucked away in a corner nook. Sitting across from her, he noticed her vacant gaze and the way her head rested against her hand.

  “This is the first time I’ve seen you so deep in thought. Something bothering you?” Veil asked.

  “No. I was just wondering how long it would take before we finally got to eat,” she replied, shifting her eyes toward him.

  But Veil caught something in her look—something she wasn’t telling him. Before he could press further, Alynia raised her hand to call over the young man who had greeted them earlier.

  He set a menu down in front of each of them with a bright smile.

  “I’ll let you take a look at the menu. I’ll be back in a few minutes to take your order,” the young man said, setting two glasses of water on the table.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  He walked away while Veil picked up the menu. Even though he didn’t recognize a single dish, the descriptions made his mouth water. His eyes eventually landed on one in particular: OakMaw Leg with honey-fried potatoes.

  The pairing struck him as odd, but his curiosity won. That would be his choice.

  A few minutes later, the waiter returned with a small slip of paper in hand.

  “Have you decided? If you need recommendations, I’m here to help,” he offered.

  “Yes. I’ll have the Kael?r in molasses glaze with vegetables, and a pint of beer,” Alynia answered.

  “I’ll try the OakMaw Leg with honey-fried potatoes, please. And… a fruit juice,” Veil added timidly.

  The young man jotted down their requests, flashed a polite smile, and moved on to another table. Alynia slouched slightly in her chair, stretching before settling back into her usual serious composure.

  “You’ll see, after this, CryoLupes meat will taste bland. But we need to talk, Little Wolf. I’ve got something to tell you… and you’re not going to like it,” she said, her ears lowering slightly.

  “Something I won’t like? After everything we’ve been through, I can’t imagine what could be worse,” he replied.

  Yet deep down, a knot tightened in his stomach.

  “I have to leave tomorrow. You can’t come with me. You’ll need to manage on your own for an entire week. The guild assigned me another mission. Since you’re rank F and it’s rank A, you can’t accompany me,” she explained, her tone calm and steady.

  “I see… so that’s why you looked so distant when I came back,” he said quietly.

  “Yes. I was thinking about what I needed to buy—the dungeon left my supplies drained. But…” Her words trailed off.

  “But? What is it? Do you think you’ll run into the same kind of trouble we did before?” Veil murmured.

  Though shaken by her announcement, he did his best to keep it hidden. He didn’t want to weigh Alynia down, especially before her departure.

  “Yes, something like that…” she admitted, averting her gaze.

  Veil glanced around the room. Alynia’s eyes lingered on him briefly, her throat tight. She swallowed hard, but the words stuck, as though she wasn’t allowed to voice them.

  “I get it. I know the rules. Still… I don’t have any bearings here,” Veil whispered.

  “This isn’t abandonment, Little Wolf. A week will fly by. Think of it as a chance to learn on your own. After slaying a Hydra, you should be able to manage just fine,” Alynia replied, though her voice trembled faintly.

  Veil didn’t answer. His gaze drifted toward the small lantern casting its light across the room.

  A Hydra, yes… but people feel far more twisted than monsters, he thought.

  “I know this isn’t easy for you. And you don’t have to talk to anyone if you don’t want to. How about this—we make a little deal, hm?” she asked, trying to lift the heaviness of their exchange.

  “A deal? And what good would that do if you won’t even be here to see it?” Veil muttered, avoiding her eyes.

  “You’ve got one week to reach rank E. How about that? I don’t need to be here—you’ll prove it by the time I return. And it’ll keep you busy instead of dwelling on me being gone. Take one or two missions a day and you’ll be able to request a promotion soon enough,” she said, extending her hand to Veil.

  “Why not. At least if I rank up, I’ll be able to go with you after. You know you need me watching your back,” he answered with a nervous laugh.

  He shook her hand as if sealing a deal, just as the waiter returned with their meals and drinks. Wishing them a good appetite, he left again.

  Veil eyed his plate, savoring the steam that rose from it: a hefty cut of meat, crusted and caramelized, surrounded by golden slices of potato drenched in a rich, glossy sauce.

  He picked up his fork, pierced one of the saucy rounds, and popped it into his mouth. The flavor sent a shock through his tongue—an intensity he had never experienced, not even in the fragments of memories that lingered in his mind.

  The rest of the meal passed in silence. They were far too busy devouring every bite to waste words, their plates left spotless by the end. Once cleared, the table was set with bowls of fresh fruit.

  “So… when are you leaving tomorrow? You haven’t told me yet, now that I think about it,” Veil asked, breaking the silence that had stretched for several minutes.

  “At dawn. I need to arrive before nightfall,” she replied. “But you should focus on resting. Don’t think beginner missions are simple.”

  “Alright. But I want to come with you while you shop. I’d like to see what you buy, and what the merchants are selling too,” he added.

  Alynia nodded in agreement before finishing her fruit. Veil did the same, and together they rose. Alynia stopped at the counter to pay, and then they stepped back out into the street. The sun was already hidden behind the buildings, leaving only the evening chill to greet them.

  They spent the rest of the afternoon weaving through shops—apothecaries and alchemists with strange, sometimes questionable wares. Alynia replenished her supplies with practiced ease, as though preparing herself to leave at a moment’s notice.

  Night settled in, bringing with it a cool breeze that made Veil shiver. The streets were lit by photaliths: small stones sealed in glass lanterns, each amplifying the glow of trapped fireflies. With fewer people out, the roads grew calmer, almost pleasant, as they made their way back to the inn.

  Once inside, they claimed a table and each ordered a drink.

  “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet—that you won’t be here tomorrow. It doesn’t even feel possible,” Veil admitted, idly turning his glass in his hands.

  “Come on. Finish your drink. We need to get some sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be long,” Alynia said.

  The common room was quiet now, filled only with the faint hum of laughter and conversation from a handful of late lingerers. They finished their drinks and headed upstairs together.

  “Good night. Be careful on your mission,” Veil murmured at last, as if only now grasping the reality of it.

  “Don’t worry. I’m sturdy enough. Go get some rest—it’ll do you good,” she replied.

  Veil walked toward his room, Alynia’s eyes following him until he disappeared through the door.

  “Good night… take care, Little Wolf,” she whispered, too softly for him to hear.

  Inside his room, Veil undressed, set his belongings neatly on the desk, and collapsed onto the bed. Wrapping himself in the thick covers, he let his eyes close quickly, a faint smile forming on his lips as sleep carried him away from his thoughts.

  Alynia, meanwhile, sat by her own window for a long while, uneasy at the idea of leaving alone.

  “I shouldn’t feel this way… so why is it harder this time?” she whispered to herself.

  She stayed there, gazing at the moonlit city, her mind wandering back through the days since she had first met him. A cool breeze brushed her face, making her shiver and pulling her from her reverie. At last, she rose, changed, and slipped beneath her own blankets. A heavy sleep claimed her almost instantly.